Sophomore Kellen Skersies pitched a gem against Biola (8-5, 4-4) on Wednesday at Russ Carr Field, but Westmont Baseball couldn't push enough runs over the plate in a 3-1 loss to the Eagles. Skersies gave up just two runs in eight and one-third innings of work in which he allowed only five hits. He struck out two without giving up a walk.
Biola produced a run in the top of the first inning when left fielder Scott Nelson belted a sacrifice fly to left to score Adam Yoder from third base. Yoder led off the game with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Kris Cook.
The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the eighth inning when Westmont (1-12, 0-9) scored an unearned run to tie the game at one. Right fielder John Evans reached on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a single by short stop Philip Valle. Biola head coach John Verhoeven elected to make a pitching change, replacing starter Josh Bass with right-hander Greg Matson. Matson faced first baseman Erik Gaustad who drove the ball down past third base into the left field corner to score Evans and advance Valle to third on the double. With one in and no outs, the Warriors looked to be in position to produce a rally.
The Eagles walked designated hitter Jason Younkers intentionally to load the bases. With Luke Montzingo at the plate, Westmont head coach Scott Deck called for a squeeze bunt. But Montzingo couldn't get any wood on the ball and Biola catcher Daniel Bodemer, who had replaced Cook, was able to chase down Valle and tag him out. Montzingo then lined out to left for the second out and pinch hitter Ryan Haddock struck out to end the inning.
In the top off the ninth, Cook re-entered the game and led off with a home run to right field to produce the eventual game winner. After another fly ball to right field which produced an out, Deck brought Jon White out of the bullpen to relieve Skersies. White coaxed first baseman Nick Dietzen into striking out, but then gave up back-to-back doubles as Biola earned their third run of the game. White was then replaced with freshman Brandon Downs who ended the inning by getting pinch hitter Matt McQueen to pop up to short on his one and only pitch.
Third baseman Andy Dude led off the bottom of the ninth by lining out to center field. The center fielder Derek Fugitt came to the plate and walked to give the Warriors an opportunity to bring the tying run to the plate. Shortstop Anthony Martinez singled to right, advancing Fugit to third base. Evans then hit a ground ball to short. The Eagles threw out Martinez at second for the second out but could not turn the double play in time to get Evans at first. Valle was issued a free pass to load the bases with two away. Verhoeven then called in Steven Alexander to pitch to Gaustad. When the count reached 2-2 Verhoeven made an unusual move, calling time out in order to make a defensive change in left field, replacing Nelson with Tim Wells. Alexander then delivered the final strike to Gaustad to bring the game to an end.
The same two teams will do battle again on Thursday, but will move the venue to La Mirada. First pitch is at 2:30 p.m.
